Farida Jalal has been in the Indian film industry for almost six decades now. She has starred in several hit films, including Raja Hindustani, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and many more. The veteran actress was most recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. She played the role of ‘Tajdar Baloch’s grandmother, ‘Qudsia Begum’ in the series. Recently, the veteran actress talked about her journey and the challenges she had to face in her decades-long career.
During an interview with India Today, Farida Jalal discussed her bond with the late film director, Yash Chopra. The seasoned actress played a significant role in the 1995 classic film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. After the film's success, she believed that YRF studios would not want to work with her in their subsequent projects. However, that was not the case. Recalling her call with Yash Chopra, Farida Jalal said:
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“After 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', I got a call from Yash Ji for 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai'. Before that, I thought they had no role for me after DDLJ, otherwise why won’t I be repeated? So, one day, Yash Ji called me and said ‘I have a role for you, but Adi (Aditya Chopra) feels you won’t do it. I told him I will speak to Farida Ji.’”
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The 75-year-old actress revealed that she was deeply hurt when Yash Chopra did not cast her in their subsequent films despite initially promising her that. Farida Jalal said that she agreed to do a small part in Dil To Pagal Hai only because of Yash Chopra’s promise to her. In her words:
“He told me ‘don’t say no ever to me or Adi’. He empathetically said ‘yeh silsila chalta rahein’. I loved that line. I was so happy when he said that. After that, I was waiting for this ‘silsila’ to continue.”
Farida Jalal further added that she was hurt when YRF offered others roles in her place. She also talked about doing a TV show, where both Yash Chopra and Karan Johar had sent video messages to her. After their gesture, the veteran actress, in return, sent each of them a box of chocolates. However, it did not mend their relationship. She said that ‘shifting loyalties’ is part and parcel of being in the industry. In her words:
“This happens in this industry. It hurts when you cast someone else in my place. I didn’t even think twice to play any role after that. I did a show on TV where Yash Ji sent a message. I sent him a box of chocolate after that and wrote to him that he told me these words about ‘silsila chalte rahe’ and I am still waiting because he put those words in my head. Even after that, when there is no response, I am hurt. I am deeply hurt that people do shift loyalties but to the extent that you don’t remember me ever. It hurts.”
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During the same conversation, the 75-year-old actress revealed how Karan Johar approached her to play a role in his film, Student Of The Year. Farida Jalal said that upon receiving a call from the director, she accepted the offer. Sharing that Karan Johar must have understood his fault, Farida added:
“One fine day, I’m in my car, and I get a call from Karan. He said he wants me to do the dadi’s role, and I said, ‘Of course, I’ll do it, Karan’. He said, ‘I told them in the office to not call you, I’ll call you myself’. Why did he say that? Because he knew, he knew that we’ve wronged her in many ways. I said, ‘You understand, don’t you Karan? This is what I needed. One phone call.’”
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Check the full interview here.
What do you think of Farida Jalal’s revelations regarding her soured relationship with Yash Chopra and Karan Johar?
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